Introduction to Shizuoka Prefecture
Shizuoka Prefecture is located in central Japan and is rich in nature with a magnificent view of Mt. It is filled with many attractions such as a mild climate, beautiful scenery, history and culture, and delicious gourmet food.
Geographic location
Shizuoka Prefecture is located in central Honshu, Japan, facing the Pacific Ocean. It is bordered by Kanagawa Prefecture to the east, Aichi Prefecture to the west, Yamanashi and Nagano Prefectures to the north, and Suruga Bay and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The center of the city is Shizuoka City.
History & culture
Shizuoka Prefecture has long flourished as a strategic point on the Tokaido Highway and developed into a political, economic, and cultural center during the Edo period (1603-1867), when Tokugawa Ieyasu, who unified Japan under the rule of the shogunate, settled in Sunpu Castle. Fuji, Japanese tea, and hot springs, making it a very popular tourist destination.
Tourist attraction
There are many tourist attractions to visit in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Mt. Fuji
Shizuoka Prefecture is famous for its spectacular views of Japan’s highest mountain, Mt. Fuji straddles the northern part of Shizuoka Prefecture and Yamanashi Prefecture, and from the Shizuoka Prefecture side, Mt. Fuji can be viewed from various angles.
Miho no Matsubara
Miho Matsubara is a scenic spot with a view of Mt. Fuji, and its scenery has been designated as a national special scenic beauty spot and a natural monument.
Atami Onsen
Atami’s main attractions are its beautiful sea and hot springs. There are many sightseeing spots to be enjoyed while gazing at the sea, including Atami Sun Beach, the Atami Marine Fireworks Festival, and the Atami Plum Garden.
In addition, the Atami hot springs have a history of more than 1,200 years, and many hot spring inns and hotels line the seashore.
Shiraito Falls
Shiraito Falls is a famous waterfall located in Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Hundreds of waterfalls of various sizes cascade down the 150-meter wide, 20-meter high curved cliff, looking as if they are dripping with white thread.
Visitors can enjoy the seasonal scenery, with cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall, and be refreshed by the negative ions.
Mishima Skywalk
Mishima Skywalk in Mishima City, Shizuoka Prefecture, is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in Japan. From the top of the 400-meter-long, 70-meter-high bridge, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the majestic Mt.
Visitors can also enjoy thrilling activities such as athletics and zip lines.
Yume no Suspension Bridge
Yume no Suspension Bridge, located in Sunmatakyo Gorge in Shizuoka Prefecture, is a large suspension bridge 90 meters long and about 8 meters high. From the bridge, which spans a deep ravine, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the emerald green surface of the lake and the magnificent nature.
There is a promenade around the bridge, where visitors can enjoy strolling and admiring the beautiful scenery of the four seasons.
Gotemba Premium Outlets
Located in Gotemba City, Shizuoka Prefecture, this is one of the largest outlet malls in Japan. Fuji, and houses about 120 stores of famous domestic and international brands. One of the attractions of the mall is that visitors can enjoy a fulfilling shopping experience while viewing the spectacular view of Mt.
Food culture
Shizuoka’s food culture is known for its fresh seafood and unique cuisine.
Sakura shrimp
Sakuraebi are precious shrimps that can only be caught in Suruga Bay. They are about 5 cm in length and are called “the jewel of Suruga Bay” for their clear, cherry-colored body. It can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes such as raw shirasu rice bowl, kakiage (deep fried), and kama-age (deep fried).
Fujinomiya yakisoba
Fujinomiya yakisoba is a local B-class gourmet dish born in Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture. In 2006, it won the B-1 Grand Prix.
Shizuoka oden
Shizuoka Oden is a local dish popular mainly in Shizuoka City and is characterized by its black soy sauce-based broth. Although it looks thick, the taste is surprisingly light and can be enjoyed by both children and adults. In addition to the standard ingredients, other popular ingredients include black hanpen, which is unique to Shizuoka.
Tea ceremony
Shizuoka Prefecture is the largest producer of tea in Japan. The mild climate and rich natural environment are ideal for tea cultivation, and high quality tea leaves have been produced in the prefecture since ancient times. Tea leaves produced in Shizuoka Prefecture are highly valued around the world for their high quality and are exported to many foreign countries.
Charcoal Grill Restaurant Sawayaka
Charcoal Grill Restaurant Sawayawayaka is a charcoal-grilled hamburger steak restaurant located only in Shizuoka Prefecture. In particular, Sawayaka’s hamburgers are famous throughout Japan for their delicious taste, and the restaurant is crowded with many customers every day. I also visit the restaurant every time I stop by Shizuoka Prefecture, and I recommend the “Genkotsu hamburger steak” with onion sauce.
Activities
Many activities can be enjoyed in Shizuoka.
climbing Mt Fuji
Shizuoka Prefecture is also famous for having four of the most popular mountaineering routes (Yoshida Route, Subara Route, Gotemba Route, and Fujinomiya Route) for climbing Mt. The climbing season is from early July to early September, and climbing equipment can be rented at specialized mountain climbing stores.
Although you need to pay attention to the weather and prepare for the climb, you should give it a try because the view from the top will surely be a memory that will last a lifetime.
Sea bathing
Shizuoka Prefecture’s beautiful coastline and mild climate make it an ideal place for swimming. The following beaches are especially recommended.
Recommended Beaches
- Atami Sun Beach: Located in Atami City, this is the most famous beach in Shizuoka Prefecture.
- Shirahama Ohama Beach: Located in Shimoda City, this beach has beautiful white sand and blue ocean.
- Yumigahama Beach: Located in Minami-Izu Town, this beach is a beautiful arc-shaped beach.
Tea ceremony experience
In the tea ceremony experience, you can learn the basic manners of the tea ceremony while making and drinking powdered green tea. There are many places in Shizuoka Prefecture where you can experience the tea ceremony to the fullest.
- Fujinokuni Tea Museum: This museum is located in Shizuoka City and is dedicated to tea. Visitors can experience the tea ceremony in a tea room.
- Kakegawa Castle Palace: This is an Edo period castle in Kakegawa City. Visitors can experience a tea ceremony in the tea ceremony room.
- Shimizu Tea Garden: This is a vast tea plantation located in Shimizu Ward, Shizuoka City. Visitors can experience tea picking and tea ceremony.
Camp
Shizuoka Prefecture is an attractive camping destination with diverse natural environments from the foot of Mt. There are many campgrounds for both beginners and advanced campers, and camping can be enjoyed throughout the year.
- Campsites with spectacular views of Mt. Fuji: Fujinomiya City and Gotemba City have campsites with spectacular views of Mt.
- Seaside campgrounds: There are many seaside campgrounds on the Izu Peninsula.
- Campgrounds with hot springs: There are many campgrounds with hot springs in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Tour of a hot spring
Shizuoka Prefecture is a region rich in hot spring resorts, from the foot of Mount Fuji to the Izu Peninsula. You can enjoy a variety of hot spring resorts, including those by the sea, secluded hot springs deep in the mountains, and historic hot spring towns.
Recommended Hot Spring Towns
- Atami Onsen: This hot spring resort by the sea is popular for its excellent views. You can also enjoy delicious gourmet food such as seafood dishes and sweets in the hot spring resort area.
- Ito-onsen: This is a hot spring resort town with a long history dating back to the Edo period. The hot spring town still retains its old-fashioned atmosphere with souvenir shops and shooting ranges.
- Shuzenji Onsen: An elegant hot spring resort town where visitors can enjoy strolling along bamboo grove paths and the Katsura River. There are also many fashionable cafes and sundry stores in the hot spring resort area.
Firework(s) display
Shizuoka Prefecture is a great place for fireworks lovers, with many fireworks displays held throughout the year. Especially in the summer, many grand fireworks displays are held in various locations, allowing visitors to enjoy the beautiful fireworks that color the night sky.
Recommended fireworks displays
- Atami Marine Fireworks Display: Held throughout the year, the approximately 5,000 fireworks launched over the sea are a spectacular sight.
- Shizuoka Festival Abegawa Fireworks Display: Held in late July, approximately 10,000-15,000 fireworks are launched over the background of the Abe River.
- Fukuroi Enshu Fireworks Competition: Held in early October, this is one of the largest and most artistic fireworks competitions in Japan, with participation by renowned fireworks masters.
Seasonal Recommendations
Shizuoka is a place where you can enjoy beautiful scenery and events in each of the four seasons.
Spring
- Cherry blossoms: Mishima Skywalk and Sunmatakyo are famous for their cherry blossoms.
- Strawberry picking: Shizuoka Prefecture is famous for its strawberries, and visitors can taste sweet strawberries produced in Shizuoka, such as “Shohime” and “Oi C Berry.
Summer
- Swimming: You can enjoy swimming and marine sports at beaches in Atami and the Izu Peninsula.
- Fuji: Climbing Mt. Fuji is popular during the summer climbing season.
Autumn
- Autumn Foliage: Sunmatakyo and along the Abe River are popular spots for viewing autumn foliage.
Winter
- Onsen: Hot springs in Atami and the Izu Peninsula are popular.
- Mikan Picking: The mild climate of Shizuoka Prefecture is famous for its tangerines, and visitors can enjoy picking sweet, lush Unshu mikan oranges.
Local Culture
Shizuoka Prefecture has its own unique festival culture and traditional crafts.
Festival
- Atami Marine Fireworks Festival: Held throughout the year, the fireworks display of approximately 5,000 shots over the sea is a spectacular sight.
- Shizuoka Festival: This citizens’ festival began in 1957, following the legend that “here in Sunpu, Prince Tokugawa Ieyasu took his retainers to view cherry blossoms. The highlight of the festival is the “Daimyosho Hanami Gyoretsu” (Grand Imperial Court Hanami Procession).
Traditional crafts
- Kiyomizuyaki: Kiyomizuyaki is a traditional Shizuoka City pottery that has been produced since the Edo period. It is characterized by vivid colors and delicate painting.
- Oigawa cedar: Beautiful woodwork made from cedar grown at the foot of Mt. Tea sets and furniture are popular.
Transportation
There are many ways to reach Shizuoka Prefecture, including airplanes, bullet trains, trains, and highway buses.
Shinkansen
Access from Tokyo Station to Shizuoka Station by Shinkansen takes about 1 hour.
Railway
Access from Tokyo Station to Shizuoka Station by Shinkansen takes about 3 hours.
Express Bus
Access from Tokyo Station to Shizuoka Station by highway bus takes about 3 hours.
Lastly
Shizuoka Prefecture is a tourist destination filled with various Japanese attractions such as Mt. Fuji, the sea, hot springs, history, culture, and food. Please visit Shizuoka Prefecture with reference to the activities introduced in this article, how to enjoy each season, and access information.